Save Small World! (Why the Classic Shouldn't be changed!)

[mousechild]

This is one of those moves that may be good for Disney, but not good for us, the guests who remember Disneyland before all the overt movie tie-ins began taking over the park.

Yes movie tie-ins have been around since 1955 but they are now going back and adding them in to rides that never had them. this may well be good for Disney the corporation because Disney characters are valuable properties that may drive new guests into the park I just don't like it much and after awhile I may not like Disneyland so much either.

[kirbilicious]

Originally Posted by Datameister

I wasn't aware that this change had been officially greenlit, but I'm not particularly opposed to it. IASW is historical, absolutely...but if I look at it with a totally honest eye, I can't bring myself to like it. I laugh at it, not with it. IMO, most of its value is historical, and you can gauge the validity of that statement by considering what you would think of it if it had just been built recently.

But will a few new dolls depicting Disney characters really make you like the ride? The majority of the ride will still be the same including that horrid song. What will adding Disney characters really do to fix whatever it is you don't like about the ride?

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by kirbilicious

But will a few new dolls depicting Disney characters really make you like the ride? The majority of the ride will still be the same including that horrid song. What will adding Disney characters really do to fix whatever it is you don't like about the ride?

Excellent point.

small world haters will still hate the attraction, and small world fans will either embrace it, dislike it, or be noncommittal. So what do we gain?

Not much.

[Aladdin]

Overall this is a good fit for the area, and the VAST majority of it
is going to be the same. It would be a shame NOT to consider
adding more interest to what is there already.

The picture showing how popular it is, is from the Small World Holiday
version, which is a seasonal layover, and in fact made Small World even
MORE popular than it is during the rest of the year. And they were even
careful in having the Sherman Brothers involved in the Holiday music
layover, which kept "in tune" with the original ~

And of course Small World was one of the 5 attractions that originally was
to be enhanced for DL's 50th, but the only thing it received was the whitewash.
Now that roof of the building is in serious need of repair, as well as the flume,
it is overdue for a major refurb, and enhancement. So it make sense to re-evaluate
this attraction, and see what can be done to make it even more popular.

And as long as the Disney Characters are done in a "Mary Blair" style, I'm all
for it! In fact, this will even make it fit in with Fantasyland even more than before.
I'm glad most of it will remain similar, I love the style of the animals in the African
section, and the Mermaid with bubbles. And since it does have those stylized
animals, the Disney characters should fit right in.

I'm looking forward to the enhance opening and ending scene's as well.
And it's not like when they evicted the Swiss Family Robinson from their
Treehouse, nor is it anywhere near when the Country Bears were evicted
from their Playhouse, nor is it even like the when Jack Skellington visits
the Haunted Mansion ~ mixing in more animated characters with realistic
looking character. Disney characters in Small World would be a good fit,
and it won't be like animated characters are taking over more realistic
adventurous or frontierlike areas. And with Small World right at the gate
of Toontown, it makes it even more appropriate.

[Nautilus]

The characters are subtle. Here are some details on the characters:

-The "human characters"(cinderella, Peter Pan, etc. ) will look like the dolls in IASW that are already there.
-The "animals" (baloo, three caballeros, etc.) will have a "toy look" like the soldiers in the England section, the animals in the Africa section, etc.
-There will be at least one character in each scene.

They are nice subtle additions, not meant to be the focus of attention in each scene.I wouldn't throw a tantrum over such little additions (not changes)

[Datameister]

change is good. Why such a closed mind to it? It's a theme park not a shrine, let it grow and change.

Change is not good. Good change is good.

- Datameister, who still doesn't mind the refurb much but thought that was an important distinction to make.

[Lost Boy]

Am I the only one here that can't get Mice Age to load? It does nothing except say waiting for MiceAge.com and then times out saying it's taking to long to respond. Is it that busy, or is something else going on. I have been trying for over an hour now, and nothing has changed. I still can't get Mice Age to load. Every other site I go to loads just fine.

[SCUBAbe]

Originally Posted by fo'c's'le swab

So you liked the 1998 TL refurb? While I certainly agree with your sentiment, and understand how many perceive reluctance to see Disney 'history' altered as 'close-mindedness', I disagree that change is universally 'good'.

the torrowland update really didn't bother me. I don't like where the rockets are, but there is a lot I do like about what they did.

Originally Posted by 2DieFR

If it didn't matter what it needs or doesn't need, Disney wouldn't do anything at all and just let the attraction run as-is with boats getting stuck at every turn.

Point is, Disney does think it needs change. Major change. And no, I do not think all change is good, because it just so happens that some things work just fine the way they are.

maybe I should have been more clear. What I meant was ....it doesn't matter what you/we think it does or does not need. Disney is a business and they will do what they see fit. i will not get upset over everything they do and I don't understand why some people get their panties in a wad every time something at the park changes.

[SCUBAbe]

Originally Posted by Lost Boy

Am I the only one here that can't get Mice Age to load? It does nothing except say waiting for MiceAge.com and then times out saying it's taking to long to respond. Is it that busy, or is something else going on. I have been trying for over an hour now, and nothing has changed. I still can't get Mice Age to load. Every other site I go to loads just fine.

hmmm...maybe they need to slap a few more ads on the site so they can get a better server....

[The Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by Datameister

Change is not good. Good change is good.

- Datameister, who still doesn't mind the refurb much but thought that was an important distinction to make.

But 'good change' is such a personal thing. My son will delight to find his favorite characters inside one of his favorite attractions. He will then complain when 20 years down the line, they change the Small World that he grew up with.

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by Lost Boy

Am I the only one here that can't get Mice Age to load? It does nothing except say waiting for MiceAge.com and then times out saying it's taking to long to respond. Is it that busy, or is something else going on. I have been trying for over an hour now, and nothing has changed. I still can't get Mice Age to load. Every other site I go to loads just fine.

I'm having some problems too, the site has been loading forever!

[aashee]

The Disney characters better be subtle. Subtle to the point where you have to look closely to see if it's Peter Pan, Aladdin, Belle, etc.

[2DieFR]

Originally Posted by SCUBAbe

maybe I should have been more clear. What I meant was ....it doesn't matter what you/we think it does or does not need.

I can have an opinion, whether or not it "matters," to you or Disney or anyone else. I know perfectly well what I say has little to no impact on what Disney decides, but I have a right to say so anyway.

Originally Posted by SCUBAbe

Disney is a business and they will do what they see fit.

I understand that, but it doesn't mean I have to like it, NOR do I have to keep my mouth shut.

Originally Posted by SCUBAbe

i will not get upset over everything they do and I don't understand why some people get their panties in a wad every time something at the park changes.

If you don't understand, I'm not going to try to convince you. Just because you can let go of things and embrace any and all change easily doesn't mean others can/should.

[fo'c's'le swab]

Originally Posted by SCUBAbe

the torrowland update really didn't bother me. I don't like where the rockets are, but there is a lot I do like about what they did.

So the change in location of the rockets was not a 'good' change for you personally---that was my meagre point (such as it was)--that change for change's sake is not always a change for the better.

i will not get upset over everything they do and I don't understand why some people get their panties in a wad every time something at the park changes

When I think of wadded up panties, I don't think of IASW (but maybe the attraction would be one of my favorites if I actually DID).

[kinkerbell]

Originally Posted by SCUBAbe

it doesn't matter what it needs or doesn't need. change is good. Why such a closed mind to it? It's a theme park not a shrine, let it grow and change.

I've got to agree. Weather or not they add disney characters to it. It's still, in some cases, It's still IASW just newer.